Registered Agents

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) is committed to provide a reliable and adequate supply of wholesome potable water and sea water. To enable consumers to enjoy quality fresh water and sea water inside their buildings, registered consumers and registered agents are encouraged to properly maintain their internal plumbing systems and thus create a healthy environment for water consumption. Regular checking of the plumbing system can identify and rectify small defects before they develop into major problems.

Maintenance Responsibility

Registered agents or management offices are responsible for the maintenance of the communal part of the water plumbing systems within the estate and buildings. This includes water pumps, water tanks, communal piping and other associated communal installations.

Registered agents or management offices should carry out regular inspection of the communal part of the water plumbing systems and rectify any defects immediately once identified.

Maintenance of Water Tanks

The water plumbing system in a building usually includes sump water tanks and roof water tanks. Registered agents or management offices should cleanse the fresh water tanks and flushing water water tanks once every 3 months and 6 months respectively, or more frequently if necessary.

Tackling Leakage in Communal Service in Housing Estates

If the management office suspects or is informed by WSD that there are signs of leakage in the communal pipes of a housing estate as indicated by the master meters of the housing estate, they should conduct investigation to locate the leaks and carry out rectification works as follows:

Inspect the exposed parts of the communal pipes for signs of leakage.

For housing estates with underground communal pipes, carry out step tests to identify the sections of underground pipes with leakage.

For each section of underground pipes identified with leakage, engage leak detection specialists to find out the exact location of the leak spots.

Repair the identified leak spots of the pipes, or replace aged pipes with serious leakage that are beyond repair.

If necessary, consult the Water Supplies Department (WSD) for technical advice on step tests and engagement of leak detection specialists. The following "Reference List of Local Service Providers which have provided Leak Detection Service under WSD's contracts", and "Guideline on Leak Detection on Underground Communal Service of Housing Estates", are provided below for information.

Please find the relevant slides here with more details on this matter (only Chinese version is available).

Quality Water Supply Scheme for Buildings

Drinking water in Hong Kong is fully treated at water treatment works to ensure that the water quality complies with the World Health Organization's Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. The WSD also ensure the quality of salt water for flushing conforms to the department’s standards.